"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" I Only Have Eyes for You (1998)

Director:

James Whitmore Jr.

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator)
Marti Noxon (written by)

TV Series:

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997)

Original Air Date:

21 huhtikuu 1998 (Season 2, Episode 19)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Even by Sunnydale standards, pupils and teachers have disturbing illusions which make them do crazy things...

Plot Keywords:

Library | Female Protagonist | Hero Gone Bad | Heroine | Demon

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar	...	Buffy Summers
Nicholas Brendon	...	Xander Harris
Alyson Hannigan	...	Willow Rosenberg
Charisma Carpenter	...	Cordelia Chase
David Boreanaz	...	Angelus
Anthony Head	...	Rupert Giles (as Anthony Stewart Head)
Meredith Salenger	...	Grace Newman (as Meredith Salinger)
Christopher Gorham	...	James Stanley
John Hawkes	...	George
Miriam Flynn	...	Mrs. Frank
Brian Reddy	...	Police Chief Bob
James Marsters	...	Spike
Juliet Landau	...	Drusilla
Armin Shimerman	...	Principal Snyder
Brian Poth	...	Fighting Boy

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Company:

Mutant Enemy

Trivia:

Meredith Salenger's name is misspelled in the opening credits. It reads Meredith Salinger.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the wasps first chase the Scoobies out of the school, Buffy has to kick the front entrance doors open, breaking the glass and wood. Later when Buffy returns and is let in the school by the wasps the doors appear to be totally undamaged. This is because the wood-and-glass doors Buffy kicked open were on the studio set of Sunnydale High, while the undamaged doors, which are all-glass, are at the actual high school in Torrance, CA that doubles for Sunnydale High.

Quotes:

Buffy: Impulsive? Do you remember my ex-boyfriend, the vampire? I slept with him, he lost his soul, now my boyfriend's gone forever, and the demon that wears his face is killing my friends. The next impulsive decision I make will involve my choice of dentures.
Willow: Okay, the Angel thing went badly, I'm on board with that, but that's not your fault. And anyways, love isn't always like that. Love can be... nice.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Soundtrack:

Charge

Awesome

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is one of my very favorite episodes in the entire series. As mentioned in the comments of others, the way Buffy identifies with James is touching, and Giles' explanation of the nature of forgiveness is a beautiful revelation.

In the scene in which Buffy and Angel are possessed by the dead lovers, I am always stunned by the acting. Sarah-Michelle Gellar does not often get the chance to display her true acting ability in Buffy, but this is definitely an exception. This scene makes me cry every time I view it. It also makes a lot of sense in terms of the ghosts' story -- the teacher can never forgive James because every time she possesses someone, that person dies. But when she inhabits Angel, he can't die from a gunshot wound, so the ghost finally has the ability to meet up again with her lover and forgive him. What a great story.

For me this episode capitalizes on the emotional roller coaster that is season 2. It is not easy to just sit down and watch if you want something light and fluffy, but if you want to see one of the best episodes in terms of layers and acting then I highly recommend it.